Mobile marine platform



June 21, 1966 D. w. CLARK 3,256,537

MOBILE MARINE PLATFORM Filed Jan. 9. 1963 FIG. 3

FIG. 2

7 INVENOR -1 a in FIG.

a square platform 11.

United States Patent M 3,256,537 MOBILE M QEIE PLATFORM Daniel W. Clark, PA). Box 421, Woods Hole, Mass. Filed Stan. 9, 1963, Ser. No. 256,36 1 Claim. 31. 9-8) This invention comprises a new and improved platform for use in any marine environment, for example as a base for the study of ocean tides, currents and wave action, or marine life, or for salvage purposes.

The platform of my invention is incorporated in a mobile marine structure which may be rendered sufficiently buoyant as a whole to float in a horizontal or prone position under towing conditions. it is also so constructed and arranged that it may be self-righted at any selected location with provision for adjustment to bring the platform the desired height above the wave zone.

The platform structure includes an elongated skeleton frame or tower having buoyancy tanks distributed along its length in fixed positions and these tanks are so located that one or more of them balances the whole structure in its horizontal position or may be manipulated so as to float the frame in upright position at the selected point-of installation.

An important element of the invention is a hold-down mooring which may be initially located adjacent to one of the buoyancy tanks and has hoisting connections with a winch located on the platform or other convenient place. When the frame has been brought into its upright position at the point of installation the mooring may be dropped to the bottom and the structure winched down to a position in which the platform is located the desired height above the water level under the existing weather conditions and a minimum cross section of the skeleton frame is exposed to wave action.

These and other features of the invention will be best understood and appreciated from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG.;1 is a view in perspective of the structure in upright position,

FIG. 2. is a view in elevation of the structure on a smaller scale and in its horizontal towing position, and

FIGS. 3, 4 and show thestracture in three progressive positions as it assumes its upright position and is adjusted for height.

In the form herein shown the structure includes an elongated skeleton frame or tower comprising four tubular corner sections 10 of square cross section secured together near their upper ends by cross braces supporting The corner sections are extended above the platform to provide a railing 12. They are also united at their lower ends by welded cross braces 13 and 14 which form a container or cage for a pair of buoyancy tanks 15.

The corner sections 10 are also united by welded cross braces 16 and 17 at a mid-point, which may be about one-third of the height of the frame, and these cross braces form a container or cage for an intermediate pair of buoyancy tanks 18. It will be understood that an equivalent frame could be constructed of steel pipe sections with conventional fittings.

As herein shown a winch 19 is mounted on the platform 11 and a cable 20 passes downwardly from it through suitable guides located between the buoyancy tanks and connects it to a hold-down mooring 21 at the bottom of the frame.

In the structure as herein shown the intermediate buoyancy tanks 18 are fully exhausted at all times. The lower buoyancy tanks 15 are exhausted when it is desired to Patented June 21, 1966 tow the structure in horizontal position as shown in FIG. 2. Under these conditions the mooring 21 is held by the cable 2%) in close proximity to the tanks 15 so that their buoyancy compensates for the weight of the mooring.

When the structure has been towed to the selected location the lower tanks 15 are flooded and for this purpose they are provided with values and relief check valves (not shown). As the tanks 15 fill the frame swings into its upright position as suggested in FIG. 3 and the cable 20 is paid off until the mooring 21 rests on the bottom. In its fully upright position the intermediate buoyancy tanks 13 are at least partially submerged and a substantial portion of the frame extends above the water level. The mooring 21 is of suflicient weight to overcome the buoyancy of the structure as a whole and so hold it in upright position when submerged to any desired depth. The winch 19 may then be operated to bring the platform 11 down to the desired height above the Water line, depending on sea conditions, and the whole structure is firmly anchored with a minimum cross section of the frame exposed to the wave action. The cross section of the tower is reduced for that purpose by the upward convergence of the corner sections 10 as they extend above the buoyancy tanks 18.

While the winch 19 is herein shown as mounted upon the platform 11 it will be understood that if desired it may be mounted in a lower section of the frame and be driven by remote control from the platform. Stability of the structure is ensured by the buoyancy of the intermediate tanks 18 as these are held submerged by connection with the mooring 21.

Having thus disclosed by invention and described in detail an illustrative embodiment thereof, I claim as new and desire to secure by letters Patent:

A mobile, self-righting marine structure comprising an elongated skeleton frame of tubular members having a platform at its upper end, a lower cage containing a pair of buoyancy tanks at its lower end and a cage containing a pair of buoyancy tanks at an intermediate point separated from the lower cage by openwork of the skeleton frame, a mooring adjacent the lower end, said mooring being of suflicient weight to swing the frame into upright position when the lower buoyancy tanks are flooded and so hold the frame at least partially submerged in upright position, a winch in the upper part of the frame, and cable connections with the mooring passing through guides located between the intermediate buoyancy tanks whereby the mooring may be maintained adjacent to the bottom of the frame or the frame may be hauled down to adjust the platform to the desired height above the water level with the intermediate buoyancy tanks submerged thus exposing to the weather only the upper end of the said skeleton frame.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,840,324 1/1932 Lindquist 9-8 2,552,899 5/1951 Manes 61-46.5 2,857,744- 10/1958 Swiger 61-46.5 2,908,141 10/1959 Marsh 1140.5 2,955,626 10/1960 Hartley 98 3,080,583 3/1963 Fuller 9-8 3,082,608 3/1953 Daniell 6146.5 3,128,604- 4/1964 Sandberg 61-465 FOREIGN PATENTS 527,435 7/ 1921 France.

CHAR-LES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

EARL J. WITMER, Examiner.

J. SHAPIRO, Assistant Examiner. 

